Charles Crutchfield III MD

In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at the New York University School of Medicine have come across what some have boldly called a “new human organ.” Scientists call this potential new organ the “interstitium.” In fact, this discovery involves tissue that may account for 20 percent of our total body weight, making […]

Glaucoma is the name for several ocular conditions that cause an increased and destructive pressure inside the eye. This elevated pressure produces damage to the optic nerve and, subsequently, vision loss. A common cause of increased pressure is when channels that normally drain fluid from the eyes get blocked, resulting in pressure building up inside the […]

Last week we examined the physiology and causes of acne, an affliction from which as many as 50 million Americans suffer. This week we will examine in detail various options for treating acne and acne scarring.

The medical term for acne is “acne vulgaris.” Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States and the number-one reason patients visit a dermatologist.

What is melasma? Melasma is a condition where one develops dark brown patches on the forehead, upper lip, nose and cheeks. It can also occur, rarely, on the forearms and neck. Melasma is very common. Skin discoloration of the face can be very upsetting and can lower self-esteem. I see patients every day in my dermatology clinic […]

Doctors are getting a much better understanding of the causes of mental illness and other brain disorders. Researchers, for the first time, are discovering the genes that are active in different types of common neurologic diseases. Let’s first review some common neurologic disorders: Research scientists have come to a better understanding of many brain (neurologic) […]

Americans today recognize acronyms and abbreviations for a wide range of important medical terms: ED is short for “Erectile Dysfunction,” OCD is an abbreviation for “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” UTI stands for “Urinary Tract Infection,” and OIC stands for “Opioid Induced Constipation,” just to name a few. However, most people are not familiar with one acronym […]

There are some monumental shifts occurring in health care. One of the most exciting is the field of pharmacogenetics. Pharmacogenetics is the field where your personal DNA is evaluated, and it can be determined what medications will work best for you. This evaluation with a precise treatment recommendation is also called “precision medicine.” Precision medicine Precision […]

You can never grow tired of getting the right amount of sleep Insomnia is a condition where it is difficult to either fall asleep or stay asleep during the night, or where you wake up too early. Getting a good, restful, recuperative night of sleep is a primary key to good health. Experts suggest that […]